Parents who refuse immunisation for their children will miss out on government benefits of up to $15,000.

From January 1, 2016, the childcare benefit, childcare rebate and Family Tax Benefit A will no longer be given to parents who fail to immunise their children.

West Wimmera Shire child and maternal health nurse Monica Feder said she was glad to see the government working for the betterment of children.

‘‘There are many rules that are non-negotiable, for example using appropriate child restraints when travelling in cars,’’ she said.

‘‘I personally feel that childhood immunisation should be another of those non-negotiable laws.’’

Mrs Feder said history had proven the effectiveness of immunisation, but some people had forgotten the horrors of diseases such as whooping cough and polio.

‘‘If herd immunity is not maintained, these deadly diseases will revisit even our isolated community,’’ she said.

The policy has bipartisan support.

Horsham Rural City Council environmental health officer Luke Mitton said the policy would promote protection for babies and the wider community.

‘‘Given we’ve had a rise in diseases such as whooping cough, hopefully it will help,’’ he said.

‘‘In Horsham people are fairly good, and we find most families are happy to be vaccinated.’’

Australian Childhood Immunisation Register data released earlier this year showed West Wimmera and Hindmarsh had the highest vaccination rates in Victoria, with 100 per cent of two-year-olds immunised.

Horsham is the next highest, with 98.53 per cent of two-year-olds vaccinated, followed by Yarriambiack at 94.74 per cent and Northern Grampians at 90.91 per cent.

Ararat Rural City is among the worst in the state, with only 89.74 per cent of two-year-olds fully vaccinated.

West Wimmera also had a 100 per cent immunisation rate for children aged one and five.

Member for Mallee Andrew Broad said more people objecting to immunisations was putting their effectiveness at risk.

‘‘I think the hip-pocket nerve is a very strong driver, particularly with some groups of people who would choose not to immunise,’’ he said.

‘‘Immunisations have reduced the incidence of disease by reducing the occurrences across a great number of populations.’’